CalL1 Lake Elsinore Storm

Storm Releases Opening Day Roster

Published on April 3, 2007 under California League (CalL1)
Lake Elsinore Storm News Release


Lake Elsinore, CA April 3, 2007 - Four of the five pitchers in the starting rotation for the Lake Elsinore Storm are returning to The Diamond to join seven of the top 30 Padres prospects to begin the 2007 season. Right-hander Manny Ayala will lead the pitching staff, while Matt Antonelli, the Padres' #1 pick in 2006, looks to fill some big shoes at second base with Sean Kazmar now playing in Double-A San Antonio. Richie Daigle, Brent Carter, and Matt Buschmann fill the middle of the Storm rotation with San Diego's second round pick last year, LHP Wade LeBlanc, inked in as the fifth starter.

With over 485 innings of time served in the minors, the Storm look to rely on experience from their starting five to take Lake Elsinore back to the playoffs for a shot at their third California League Championship ('96, '01). Ayala was 5-4 with a 4.05 ERA in 23 appearances including 12 starts with the Storm in 2006. The Southern California native also ranked third on the team with 71 strikeouts in 91 innings. Daigle, who posted a 6-1 record with a 3.42 ERA as a reliever last season, surrendered just one home run in 53 outings. Carter will be returning from an ankle injury suffered last July when he ruptured his left Achilles tendon in the midst of an eight inning shutout effort vs. High Desert. He finished the season with a 5-2 record and a 3.62 ERA including a complete-game shutout on June 16 vs. Modesto. Buschmann was promoted to Lake Elsinore after starting 10 games in Short-A Eugene and recording a 3.12 ERA with 63 strikeouts. He went 1-0 with a 3.55 ERA in two starts for the Storm in 2006. LeBlanc made short work of Midwest League hitters as he won his final three starts, giving up just two runs in 15 innings. The 6'3" lefty ended the year going a combined 5-1 with a 3.02 ERA in Eugene and Fort Wayne.

Other roster spots retained by familiar faces from 2006 include Greg Burke (RHP), Dirk Hayhurst (RHP), Kyle Stutes (LHP), Jose Lobaton (C), Nic Crosta (OF), and Yordany Ramirez (OF). The Padres' 2006 draftees are also well represented with outfielder Chad Huffman (2nd Round), and infielders Craig Cooper (7th Round) and David Freese (9th Round) joining the team to go along with Antonelli, LeBlanc, and Buschmann (15th Round). The Former #1 overall pick in 2004, infielder Matt Bush, will also start the 2007 campaign in Lake Elsinore. Bush was recognized this year as having the best infield arm in the Padres' organization in Baseball America's Best Tools survey.

The Storm also welcome Carlos Lezcano, who was named the eighth manager in club history following the promotion of long time skipper Rick Renteria to Triple-A Portland. Lezcano led San Diego's Rookie-level affiliate for the past three seasons, guiding the Peoria Padres to an Arizona League Championship in 2006. Max Venable joins the team as hitting coach after serving in the same capacity for Single-A Fort Wayne since 2005. Steve Webber returns for his second season as the pitching coach for the Storm and his fourth season overall in the Padres minor league system. Veteran athletic trainer Will Sinon comes home to Southern California after spending 2006 in Portland, Oregon. The Orange County resident will replace former Storm trainer Jason Haeussinger who will fill Sinon's position in Portland for the 2007 season.

The Storm open the 2007 season in Rancho Cucamongo on Wednesday, April 5 and return to The Diamond for their home opener on Thursday, April 12 for a 7:07 p.m. start time. Tickets are still available for "Thirsty Thursday" on Opening Night, so make your plans today by calling the Storm ticket office at 951-245-4487 or reserve your tickets online at www.stormbaseball.com.

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California League Stories from April 3, 2007


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